Japanese Internment Camps 1

The Bombing of Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. At that time there were 119,000 people of Japanese ancestry living in the U.S. At that time there were 119,000 people of Japanese ancestry living in the U.S. 2/3 were American Citizens. 2/3 were American Citizens. 2

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FBI Raids Within hours of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the FBI began raiding houses of 1 st generation Japanese immigrants. Within hours of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the FBI began raiding houses of 1 st generation Japanese immigrants. Within days restrictions were placed on Japanese and German immigrants. Within days restrictions were placed on Japanese and German immigrants. 4

Executive Order 9066 Due to the bombing paranoia and hysteria took over. Due to the bombing paranoia and hysteria took over. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which granted the government the ability to “relocate people” into designated areas. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which granted the government the ability to “relocate people” into designated areas. 5

Executive Order 9066 Those of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast were to be relocated. Those of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast were to be relocated. 6

Executive Order 9066 Internment refers to the forced imprisonment and relocation of a group of people. Internment refers to the forced imprisonment and relocation of a group of people. 7

Uneven Relocation While almost all people of Japanese ancestry who lived in California, Oregon, and Washington were relocated those living in Hawaii were not. However, martial law was placed in Hawaii. While almost all people of Japanese ancestry who lived in California, Oregon, and Washington were relocated those living in Hawaii were not. However, martial law was placed in Hawaii. 8

For Protection? The U.S. government attempted to “spin” the relocation as a safety precaution for Japanese Americans. The U.S. government attempted to “spin” the relocation as a safety precaution for Japanese Americans. 9

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Mass Moving People were only allowed to bring what they could carry. People were only allowed to bring what they could carry. Families had 48 hours to sell what they could not take. Families had 48 hours to sell what they could not take. Each family was given a number. Each family was given a number. 11

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Life in Internment Camps 110,000 people were moved into camps. 110,000 people were moved into camps. Families were rounded up and taken to temporary centers made where they slept in horse stalls until it was time to move. Families were rounded up and taken to temporary centers made where they slept in horse stalls until it was time to move. 13

Life in Internment Camps Life in camps was much like prison. No one was allowed to leave the camp, prisoners had to wait in long lines for everything and medical care was non-existent. Life in camps was much like prison. No one was allowed to leave the camp, prisoners had to wait in long lines for everything and medical care was non-existent. 14

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Life in Internment Camps As camps evolved they became small cities. As camps evolved they became small cities. Schools, hospitals, and social clubs were established. Schools, hospitals, and social clubs were established. Workers were paid $8-$16 a month for a 44 hour week. Workers were paid $8-$16 a month for a 44 hour week. 16

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Life in Internment Camps To ensure U.S. loyalty all people 17+ were forced to sign statements of loyalty. To ensure U.S. loyalty all people 17+ were forced to sign statements of loyalty. Questions ranged from Questions ranged from –Are you willing to serve in the military –Swearing allegiance to U.S. 18

Draft The U.S. draft many of the young Japanese Americans while many others volunteered. The U.S. draft many of the young Japanese Americans while many others volunteered. Riots however often broke out due to the unfair nature of the situation. Riots however often broke out due to the unfair nature of the situation. 19

The End Between several court cases went before the Supreme Court. Almost all were ruled in favor of the Japanese Americas. Between several court cases went before the Supreme Court. Almost all were ruled in favor of the Japanese Americas. In 1944 the U.S. began releasing people for fear of further court cases. In 1944 the U.S. began releasing people for fear of further court cases. 20

The End By March 20, 1946 all the Internment camps were closed. By March 20, 1946 all the Internment camps were closed. 21

Post WWII When people returned home they found not much left of the lives they once knew. When people returned home they found not much left of the lives they once knew. Many moved to the Midwest or East Coast to start over. Many moved to the Midwest or East Coast to start over. Racial tensions were high. Racial tensions were high. 22

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Post WWII As Japanese Americans attempted to make a new life, they found housing and employment discrimination. As Japanese Americans attempted to make a new life, they found housing and employment discrimination. As Japanese Americans began to rebuild a Civil Rights movement emerged. As Japanese Americans began to rebuild a Civil Rights movement emerged. 24

Reparations In 1983 President Reagan signed a law giving each survivor of the camps $20,000. In 1983 President Reagan signed a law giving each survivor of the camps $20,000. In 1990 President Bush Sr. established new payments for remaining survivors. In 1990 President Bush Sr. established new payments for remaining survivors. 25